Meaning
The best, most favourable or desirable, especially under some restriction.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁épsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁épi Proto-Indo-European *-tm̥mos ? Latin optimus English -al English optimal From Latin optimus (“best”) + English -al.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
pessimalworst
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: